Marva Dasef Comes Calling

SCOTCH BROOM: Book 3 of The Witches of Galdorheim

A magical trip to Stonehenge lands a witch in the Otherworld where an ancient goddess is up to no good.

Marva Dasef: https://sites.google.com/site/mdasefauthor/books/galdorheim

MuseItUp Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/ScotchBroomMGD

Kindle Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ROH46K/

Scotch Broom Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYnRmbvPp7Q

 

Blurb:

Kat expects to have a great time on her graduation trip to Stonehenge. However, from the moment she leaves the witches’ arctic island, Galdorheim, she gets in nothing but trouble.  Her younger half-brother tries to horn in on her trip, she gets lost in the magical Otherworld realm, is led astray by a supposed friend, then she has to confront a Scottish goddess who’s fallen on hard times.

While dodging the goddess’ minions and trying to find her way out of the Otherworld, Kat soon learns she shouldn’t underestimate the old has-been for one second; the crone still has a few tricks that can drain a witch’s magic in a flash. To make matters worse, Kat's brother secretly followed her into the Otherworld. Now he’s in danger too.  Kat has to go one on one with the goddess to save herself and her brother.

Leave a comment to win a free ebook of any of the Witches of Galdorheim. To win a GRAND PRIZE, read the posts carefully, then answer the easy quiz on Marva’s Blog at http://mgddasef.blogspot.com between May 27^th and 31^st. All the information and links you need will be posted.

Glaistig

In Scotch Broom, I present Glaistig as a vampire woman who has entered the Otherworld because she no longer wanted to live from the blood of humans. Within the magical realm, she can safely feed on the various magical creatures without killing them. Once I discovered her, I knew she had to be part of this story. While a vampire, she’s got a soft side that appeals to Rune. In other words, she’s not all bad; she’s just been fabled that way.

I discovered Glaistig at Monstropedia, a must-have link for paranormal and fantasy writers (http://www.monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Glaistig)

According to one legend the glaistig was once a mortal noblewoman, to whom a fairy nature had been given or who was cursed with the goat's legs and immortality, and since has been known as The Green (or Gray) Lady.

In most stories, the creature is described as a beautiful woman with dusky or gray skin and long blonde hair. Her lower half is that of a goat, usually disguised by a long, flowing green robe or dress.

In the diverse and changing traditions of the Highlands, the Glaistig was seen as both benevolent and malevolent towards humans. In one aspect she even takes the role of the Banshee, wailing at the death of important people.

The glaistig may take the form of a beautiful woman, especially one already known to the male victim; after offering sexual favors like a camp follower, she leaves her male victim with his throat cut, every drop of blood sucked from him. Other such tales have her casting stones in the path of travelers or throwing them off course.

In some variant stories the glaistig may be seen as benevolent, fond of children and a protector of old people. Libations of milk were poured for her, especially on selected stones; this veneration may be linked with older fertility customs. The glaistig has been described in some folklore as watching over children while their mothers milked the cows and fathers watched over the herds.

The glaistig frequented the lonely lochs and rivers in the Highlands of Scotland, such as Ardnacaillich, Donolly Castle, Loch Fyne, Crathes Castle and in Wales at Caerphilly.

Excerpt

Rune, Kat’s brother, is searching for his sister while Cailleach is searching for both Rune and Kat by sending one or more of her minions to find them. Glaistig’s job is to find Rune, determine whether or not he’s a vampire, and to bring the boy to the goddess. Rune goes with her and learns a few facts about the Otherworld.

Rune hurried to catch up to Glaistig. “So, do you live around here?” he asked to start a conversation.

“Aye. My abode is to the north by the standing stones.” The Gray Lady sighed. “I’m not so sure I should have moved into the Otherworld. I have no one to talk to here.”

“Hey, I’m sorry to hear that. You seem like a nice person.”

“As I said, I can be nice, or I can be naughty. It all depends on the attitude of those I meet along the way. Unfortunately, there are no humans in the Otherworld, so I don’t even have that sport anymore.”

“Well, why don’t you move back out into the mundane world? I mean, you’re a good-looking girl. You could meet all the guys you wanted.”

Glaistig sighed again. “I would, but it made me sad when I had to drink the blood of the rude men. Yes, I need the blood to live, but it isn’t pleasant to take.”

“Wow. Yeah. Maybe you could, you know, blend in more? Wear different clothes. You’d look great in a mini-skirt, I’ll bet.”

“Be careful, Rune. Even another vampire is not exempt from my need.”

Rune held up his hands. “Sorry. I definitely don’t want to be rude.”

Glaistig stopped and lifted the hem of her long skirt. Rune looked down at her goat’s cloven hoof. “You see the problem with your mini-skirt suggestion,” she said with a wry grin.

“Yeah,” Rune replied. “Hey, blue jeans are great. Maybe that and some cool boots. You’d be totally rad.”

Glaistig offered a soft smile. “Thank you, Rune. It’s nice of you to say, but I’m a prisoner of my nature. That’s why I left the real world. I hated to kill.”

“Oh, I’m with you on that. But what do you, um, live on here in the Otherworld?”

“Trolls, dwarves, gnomes on occasion. Men are men, no matter their species. At least I can take blood from the denizens of the Otherworld without killing.”

Rune frowned. “How can you do that? Just take a little blood?”

“No. Within the Otherworld, the Magic Laws of Conservation take effect. No arcane creature can kill another. Even if I bled a troll dry, he could still get up and walk away.”

“Still, it’s probably not much fun for the troll.”

Glaistig laughed a smoky laugh. “Not fun at all, but at least they do not die.”

“Interesting. I manage to get by without straight blood, but sometimes...well, sometimes I would just like a taste.”

“Do not allow yourself to do that, Rune. Once you sup on blood, there’s no turning back.”

Glaistig looked at the ground and said nothing for a few seconds. In a soft voice, as if speaking only to herself, she repeated, “There is no turning back.”

Rune cleared his throat. “Well, is there anything else about these Laws I should know?”

Glaistig glanced sideways at Rune. “Well, a person from outside can kill an Otherworld creature. Be careful, unless you’re willing to take on that burden.”

Rune kept his gaze on Glaistig until she raised her head. “I’ve never killed anybody, and I don’t think I want to, so I’m pretty safe there. Anything else?”

“Just that nature requires a balance.”

* * * *

About Marva:

Marva Dasef lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a fat white cat. Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with several included in Best of anthologies. She has several previously published books. Her latest pride and joy is the Witches of Galdorheim Series from her super duper publisher, MuseItUp.

Where to find her:

MuseItUp Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/MIU-MarvaDasef

Blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef

Twitter Handle: @Gurina

Book Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarvaDasef/videos

 Download a PDF Sampler of all three books in the series and the bonus short story, Spellslinger. http://temp.marvadasefcom.officelive.com/Spellslinger.aspx

Kate Fuentes is in the house

Greetings! Thank you for allowing me to be a guest on your site today Penny! I’m looking forward to having a tremendous time sharing posts and having “Giveaways” on various blogs with the Summer Teen Reading Party event! There will be amazing book titles and fabulous interviews with authors from all genres participating! Be sure to stop by and check it out!

When I look back to when I had less wrinkles and a smaller backside, I remember the excitement of summer! To be free from the confines of school and ready to make memories with my friends over the summer break, but I also recall having time to relax and read a good book. Whether it was on a vacation we had taken to the beach or a lazy afternoon in the backyard, I found the time to sit and experience the fantasy realms of some of my favorite stories. I’m a BIG fan of Greek Mythology and the legendary heroes of yesteryear.  I believe this type of ‘epic adventure ‘writing help mold my own form of literary style and created a vast foundation of imagination outlets to pull from when I’m constructing my young adult series ELEMENTS.  I have written and published two books in the series thus far and plan to release the third in the series just before summer begins in 2012.

The ELEMENTS novels follow the lives of fraternal twin brothers Gage and Talon Thorn. They were born from an ancient prophecy and have the extraordinary elemental abilities of fire and water. A wicked underworld emperor is determined to destroy the ‘Brothers of Prophecy’ and claim the earth realm for his own if the brothers don’t learn how to control their gifts and save humanity from the clutches of evil. The twins must experience tragedy, loss and defeat before they try to push forward and live up to what destiny has asked of them. The challenge has been set forth by dark forces and the world must put their faith in a pair of young brothers. The future is uncertain.

To find out more about the ELEMENTS series please visit Kate Fuentes webpage for more details.

                                 AMAZON  BARNES&NOBLE  GOODREADS  SMASHWORDS

                                        AMAZON  BARNES&NOBLE  GOODREADS  SMASHWORDS

Elements: Kingdom of Aqueous, Bk 3

I’m also quite excited to include a giveaway for your readers today! One reader can win an ebook copy of my first book, ELEMENTS: The Beginning, FREE!   Answer a question, ‘like’ the Elements Facebook page and follow me on Twitter to begin earning points! A random winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter! Good Luck!

  Also, check back throughout the month of May on the Summer Reading Party site and see if you could win ALL three books!

Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog! I really appreciate having the opportunity to speak with your readers!

Warm Regards,

Kate

To contact the author, Kate Fuentes, visit the following social media sites:

Kate Fuentes , Twitter , Sired Scribblings , Facebook , Pinterest

My name is Kate Fuentes, author of a young adult fantasy series called Elements. I modeled the characters after my two sons and created the fantasy realm as a story to read to my children at night. I'm fascinated at the enormity of endless imagination that we humans are capable of having, and enjoy being able to write fiction for others to appreciate as well.

My series includes: Book one, Elements: The Beginning, Book two, Elements: Veil of Darkness, and soon to be released in the summer of 2012, Book three, Elements: Kingdom of Aqueous. I plan to continue the installments and have not decided how many books will complete the series. I, like so many of my author counterparts, aspire to create more books and characters for my readers to enjoy. I have two projects currently in the beginning phases of conception and will release details in the fall of 2012 on my webpage KateFuentes.com

I attended college in Arizona and transferred to California where I finished my studies in business marketing and advertising while progressively composing short stories in the foreground. Research and development is one of my favorite aspects of writing along with the actual creation of the story from imagination to the novel itself.

I am quite passionate about writing but also enjoy helping those that are underprivileged, forgotten, and oppressed by working in a global reach department during the week in the hopes that I may bring attention to the causes which will, in effect, inspire others to volunteer or champion for those less fortunate both locally and around the world.

On a personal note, I am happily married to my junior high sweetheart and we have two glorious children. We appreciate our time spent with one another and always make sure we set aside a day for family fun night.

                                                                 * * * *

Kate, thanks so much for stopping by my blog!  Your series sound awesome.  Congratulations on your successes!
                                                                   
I have stopped by Kate's blog @ http://siredscribblings.blogspot.com    Stop by for a chance to win a PDF copy of one of my stories!  AND be sure to comment here for a chance to win a "Get Ready for Summer" basket!

Amy Durham Comes a Calling

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."

~ Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass (circa 1818 - 1895) was an escaped slave who went on to lead the abolitionist movement. Born into slavery, he secretly learned to read by watching the white children with whom he had contact and by observing the writings of the men with whom he worked. Having known no other life except slavery, he accepted it without question. Until he learned to read. His exposure to newspapers and political materials armed him with the knowledge that freedom and basic human rights could not exist within the boundaries of slavery.

When you learn to read well, and more importantly, CHOOSE to read, you empower yourself. Whether you read books, magazines, newspapers, academic texts, or some of everything, reading gives you knowledge, and knowledge gives you power. For me, this manifests itself in an attitude I’ve developed over the last several years. And the attitude is this: “If there’s something I want to know about, I WILL learn about it.” There are lots of things I don’t know about, but I can read, so I can learn. I can buy a cookbook and learn to prepare new food. I can read a magazine or newspaper and learn about what’s going on in politics or the find out about the latest movie releases. I can order a travel book and road atlas and plan a vacation to a foreign country. I can read a fiction book about scuba diving and learn about the equipment necessary. And the list could go on and on and on and on. There is nothing I can’t learn, because I can read.

Tweens and teens, this message is especially important to you! You can read a book that entertains you and LEARN at the same time you are being entertained! Your reading material doesn’t have to be a textbook or an encyclopedia to be educational. All books have lessons, subjects, and themes that can teach you things. A vampire romance isn’t just about the vampires… it’s about diversity! A time travel sci-fi isn’t just about jumping time… it’s about learning from the past and planning for the future.

A book is an adventure that you can learn from! And learning makes you FREE! So, this summer, go on an adventure inside the pages of a book!

If you enjoy Young Adult Parnomral Romance, here is a bit about my book, “Once Again”:

Reincarnation sucks! Unless it comes with a cute guy. That’s what sixteen year-old Layla Bradford discovers when she moves to Sky Cove, Maine, a small-town she thought was ordinary, but turns out to be an episode of “Cold Case” on steroids.

Layla doesn’t want to fit in; she wants to blend in and stay out of the spotlight. But the spotlight is where she winds up when she catches the eye of school cross-country star and all-around-nice-guy Lucas Ellis. She quickly learns there’s more at stake than high school reputations when she and Lucas discover they are the reincarnations of a young married couple from the mid-1800s who suffered a horrible tragedy at the hands of a madman who was never brought to justice. After a series of frightening visions show Layla and Lucas glimpses of their past-lives, they realize that the villain of their previous existence has also been reincarnated, in the form of a fellow high school student who targets them with teenage pranks that soon turn dangerous. As they grow closer, will Layla and Lucas be able to uncover the truth in time to stop the same tragedy from unfolding once again?

 Who is Amy Durham?

Amy Durham discovered her love of writing in the sixth grade.  What began as a love of writing poetry soon turned into stories scribbled into school notebooks.  In the eighth grade, her English teacher told her she was good at it and encouraged her to continue to put pen to paper.  At that moment, the die was cast, and writing would forever be a part of her life.

As an adult, Amy focuses her efforts on writing Young Adult Fiction... adventure, romance, and life-lessons... woven together as imagination and escape for young readers.  Amy holds a firm belief that books are not only entertaining, but have the ability to transform young lives.  A book can educate.  A book can teach compassion and kindness.  A book can spark interest.  A book can be a companion.  Simply put, books can accompany and guide young readers as they try to navigate their way through the twisted, confusing roads of adolescence.

Here are my contact links:

amybdurham@gmail.com

amy-durham.blogspot.com

facebook.com/AuthorAmyDurham

twitter.com/#!/Amy_Durham

goodreads.com/Amy_Durham

Here are the buy links for my book:

http://www.amazon.com/Once-Again-Sky-Cove-ebook/dp/B0071NTTV0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327669156&sr=8-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/once-again-amy-durham/1108428186?ean=2940014029940&itm=1&usri=once+again+amy+durham

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/once-again/id501768486?mt=11

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/126513

Rebecca Ryals Russell Comes Calling

Prophecy of Solsyl

(Dracwald to the Dragons)

An eon, nay, ten million years

Evil reigns, Solsyl suffers.

Toxins poison and close to death

Creatures taking their last breath.

Waters once sparkled by sunny gleam

Now blackened, noxious lake or stream.

Transmuted creatures dwell within

 Mountains, forests, deserts, glens.

Majikal beings once proliferate

Diminished in number-hide deliberate,

From evil flying through the night

Flaming maws that snap and bite.

The planet shakes, quakes, muttering

Majikals escape the Great Shuddering.

Children seven will arise

Betrayed once by two-colored eyes.

Travel through forest, glen and sea

‘til safely together they shall be.

Of age no matter, size or skill

Majikals teach them all to kill.

Prolific with sword, arrow and spear

All evil dies when they come near.

Seven children, two from Earth

Black-haired beauty learns her worth;

Leads Vigorios to fight pure evil

With new-found courage, strength of will.

One will shine above all others,

Powers strong as does her mother.

Another’s loss at age so tender,

A mighty warrior evil rendered.

One sees fears or heart’s desires;

Understands internal fires

that drive the evil and the good.

She prays things turn out as they should.

Hair turned white when lightning struck,

his easy nature is mistook

A mighty warrior, strong and fierce

With lightning’s power evil pierce.

Solsyl’s power, volcano, groundquake,

 master of fire another makes;

His soul in question, which side wins?

On battle’s outcome it depends.

‘fore battle starts one will die,

by hand of one she once was shy;

But came to love and learned to trust,

Betrayal turns his soul to dust.

Another warrior must be found,

the leader then must look around;

Another betrayal; how many more

will they endure throughout this war?

But in the end will love win?

On each one’s heart that does depend.

BLURB of HARPIES, BOOK TWO coming soon

Transported to a planet he'd never heard of was the least of fifteen-year-old Griffen's problems. Learning to control his suddenly increasing strength and new ability to pull lightning from the sky takes some getting used to.  Angry preteen Seth joins the quest; meanwhile discovering his combusting ability as a fire-starter. Driven to find the last Vigorio, a young girl able to experience others' emotions, they journey together toward their destinies as warriors against Narciss, Ruler of Tartarus and his Legio of demon-dragons. But Belial, a power-hungry demon determined to win Narciss’s approval makes their trip miserable while Narciss’s Harpy henchmen take matters into their own hands.

Here are the links and topics detailing where I’ll be all month. Check them out and win PRIZES.

Seraphym Wars Series Summary May 2

Seraphym Wars and Stardust Warriors Series Blurbs May 10

Who are the Vigorios? May 4

The Prophecy of the Vigorios May 7

EXCERPTS AVAILABLE TO READ:

Harpies Chapter One May 12

Harpies Chapter Two May 15

Harpies  Chapter Three May 16

Prophecy Chapter One May 23

Prophecy Chapter Two May 25

Prophecy Chapter Three May 28

Odessa Chapter One May 29

Odessa Chapter Two May 30

Odessa Chapter Three May 31

GIVEAWAY:

Comment on EACH of my postings (listed above with links) showing you read the posting. Commenters will acquire ONE point per comment. At the end, fill out the form on my blog, Under the Hat.

The prize? This lovely Phoenix medallion and a bag of swag including Odessa notepad, Seraphym Wars pen, Mind the Signs bookmark, coverart Postcards for each book in both series AND an eBook copy of my newest release: Harpies, Book Two Seraphym Wars Series.

Catch Rebecca at any of these links:

Under the Hat

Tween Word Quest

Teen Word Factory

Odessa

Prophecy

Harpies

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GOOGLE 

GOODREADS 

LINKED-IN

JACKET FLAP

TRIBERR

YOUTUBE

Amazon http://tinyurl.com/rebeccaryalsrussell-amazon  

Barnes and Noble  http://tinyurl.com/rebeccaryalsrussell-B-N 

iTunes  http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/odessa/id433118705?mt=11

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/zarena/id460312541?mt=11

BIO:

Rebecca Ryals Russell writes MG and YA Dark Fantasy while living with her family in a Victorian house on five acres of North Florida countryside. She also runs a Vacation Rental Log House on the property: Florida Black Bear Cabin.

She is a fourth generation Floridian having lived all over the state. The daughter of an Elementary-school principal and school secretary, she always knew she was bound for the classroom and for fourteen years she taught Middle Grades, preferring English and Creative Writing. She had several students’ works published in anthologies as well as her own poetry, photography and stories.

Her main interests are her four teenaged and young adult children and Irish hubby of many years. She enjoys spending her time writing, drawing, going to movies, reading, discussing philosophy and politics with her college-aged son.

Over the course of the next few years she has several books being published.

Be sure to check out the special interactive Middle Grade Reader website Tween Word Quest for tons of information about Stardust Warriors as well as the other projects Rebecca has in the works and Under the Hat for all of her other works.

TAGS: Rebecca Ryals Russell, Seraphym Wars Series, YA books, YA Fiction Books, YA series, demons, Seraphym, dragons, Dracwald, Vigorios, Prophecy, Odessa, Harpies

Ardyth DeBruyn Comes a Calling

Good morning Ardyth and thanks for visiting with me @ Penny’s Tales.  

1. Tell us about Ardyth DeBruyn.

I’m a native Oregonian.  I’ve loved adventure and other cultures all my life, mostly through reading books.  I decided in college to have a real adventure and went on the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage trail in Europe.  I walked from Paris to Santiago, about 2,000 kilometers, and it took me two months.  I thought after that I’d like to be an Anthropologist, since other cultures are so fascinating, and so I went to El Paso for a year after that to work with immigrants, learn Spanish, and explore more American cultures, with an idea of eventually going to South America.  However, around all the work and studying, I wrote two children’s novels and realized the sort of adventures I really wanted to go on, were the ones in my own imagination.

2. Tell us about your latest story.

My most recent book is “A School for Villains.” Thirteen-year-old Danny is astounded when his father decides to send him to Dark Lord Academy to learn to be a villain. Pa claims it will make him stand out and fulfill his own lost childhood dreams. Being evil doesn’t appeal to Danny, but he’s always been a good and obedient son, so he goes.

Dark Lord Academy’s not just unappealing, it’s downright terrible. His advisor dyes Danny’s blond hair black and changes his name to the unpronounceable Zxygrth. He can’t get the hang of maniacal laughter, his second-in-command servant is a puke-colored monkey, and the cafeteria lady enjoys serving stewed cockroaches or fried bat wings. A run in with a hero results in hate mail and he gets caught up in a rivalry with the school bully. 
The only way for Danny to stay alive is to find his inner villain.

3. How did you come up with the idea for your latest story?

I’m a huge fan of Harry Potter, but when you like something, you also like to make fun of it, like the Very Potter Musical.  Satire always brings me a lot of joy.  My first novel contains several satirical elements, including the inept wizard mentor failing stop a demon from advancing after trying a Gandalf-style move to no effect. It was natural after all the uproar over Harry Potter and if it was “evil” to wonder what an actual school for villains would be like.  My imagination took it from there.  The project wasn’t intended to be a serious endeavor, styled after the first Harry Potter book in form and flow and chalk full of purposeful mimicry, and was given to my brother in a binder as a Christmas present. But my writing group liked it so much I started actually working hard at it, to turn it into a real book and I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on it.  I enjoyed it enough I intend to do a sequel sometime.

4. How long have you been writing?

I started in High School.  While I’ve been a storyteller all my life, until that time, most of my stories were either told to siblings, drawn, or acted out.  Writing was slow business, and my thoughts and imagination got bored trying to put things down in words.  However, a typing class I took in eighth grade got my typing speed up to 60 words a minute, which helped.  Unfortunately, I only typed school papers on the family computer, and still wrote my fiction by hand, so it didn’t go anywhere.  When I bought my first computer, going off to college, and tried typing instead of longhand for my fiction, that’s when my writing really took off.

5. Are all your stories for MG or YA?

Currently, yes.  I started an adult fantasy novel once or twice, but I’ve yet to make it through one to a finished state.  I still mostly read children’s literature, my personal dream is to win a Newberry, and stories with children generally are what I’m interested in.  I have enjoyed reading a few adult novels about children, but I’ve noticed a trend that has made some of these novels reclassified into YA, even if I consider them adult like “Huckleberry Finn,” “Ender’s Game,” or “Life of Pi.”  If I wrote an adult novel, it would probably feature a child like this.

6. What was your favorite, all time, kids/teen movie?

What a terrible choice!  There’s so many wonderful movies out there, and some of the older ones I’m still in love with… but I have to go with my current recent favorite: “How to Train Your Dragon.”

7. Do you have a special go-to person you send your stories to, just to see what they think?

Yes.  My youngest brother.  I would tell my younger brothers and sisters my stories while they were growing up, and most of my first written books were adapted from ones I told my brother.  When he was diagnosed with cancer at age 11, I was determined to start writing my stories as never before in case he never got to read them, and I finished my first book that year.  My brother recovered, and has read my novels for years now, my first and best critic, even if he’s grown up in the meantime.

8. Can you give us a hint of what your next story is about?

My next novel is a YA historical fiction book entitled “Paladin Honor.” It’s based on some legendary French figures, the young woman Aude, and the famous hero Roland. When Aude’s fiancé dies in the Frankish invasion of Saxony, her father accepts a marriage deal proposed by a conniving uncle. But in order to avenge her fiancé, Aude takes her future into her own hands. Dressed as a boy, she runs away to Charlemagne's court in hopes of becoming a squire. However, amid the intrigues of court, Aude's goal becomes lost in complicated friendships, the pressures of the battlefield, and her family's political struggles.  Her struggle to find her own sense of honor and her place in the world is the focus of the book.  I created the story from a mix of history and traditional French epic poems about Roland.  It’s in its final edit and I hope to pitch it to editors sometime soon.

9. With all the promoting that is just as important as writing the story, do you have a schedule you try to stick with when trying to get a story finished?

I’m afraid my marketing approach is what I call the “flailing around” approach, so I’m not the best person on advice on that front.  Marketing makes me feel ADD.  I get excited about a new tool, use it a while, then get distracted and forget to try it again for weeks while I’m doing something else.  My goal this year is to learn how to organize the marketing thing.  I’ve been reading a lot of helpful blogs and e-books on how to do it, and my current read is “Getting things Done” by David Allen which is helping me at least get a solid list going. I’m hoping a master plan for world domination will emerge from this… we shall see.

10. Have you ever thought of just hanging it up because of rejections or a too demanding schedule?

Of course. I think everyone has doubts that plague them.  I got a negative review once from Publishers Weekly that was scathing and downright cruel, calling my novel “lamentable.”  However, I picked myself back up and carried on, and my lamentable novel is doing quite well.  I think determination in the face of defeat is something a fantasy author can’t just write about, but needs to live.  I like to use my imagination in this regard.  I pretend I’m one of my characters and the world of agents and publishers are full of evil wizards and demons out to get me, trying to stop me from my goal. I must preserve as the chosen author, win allies and friends among the good ones who will help me, and save the world… erm, get my novels published.

11. What is your favorite thing to do when not writing?

Walking.  As you can guess from my talking about the Camino de Santiago, I have done a lot of walking.  The thing I’ve found about walking, is the more I do it, the more I enjoy doing it.  Now that I live in Hood River, Oregon, I can walk some of the most beautiful trails along the Columbia River Gorge and its waterfalls as often as I wish.  My second favorite thing to do is collect small fuzzy miniature animal figures that are dressed like people and called Sylvanians or Calico Critters (depending on where you buy them).  I enjoy making houses and furniture for them.

12. And, of course, the most important question, where can we find you and your books?

My blog is at http://www.ardythdebruyn.com/  My first novel “Chosen Sister” is with Wild Child publishing and can be bought straight from the publisher (http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72&products_id=273 ) or from most major e-book sellers (Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook87260.htm?cache Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Sister-ebook/dp/B003VYBFDI B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chosen-sister-ardyth-debruyn/1017478657?ean=9781466338593 ).  My second novel “A School for Villains” is an indie novel and available from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061I23PU ), Barnes and Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-school-for-villains-ardyth-debruyn/1107133597 ), and Smashwords (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/103615 ).
 It’s on sale on Smashwords for 1.99 for the month of May, so take a look.

And finally, I’ll give a free copy of “A School for Villains” to one name drawn randomly from everyone who leaves a comment!  Thanks so much for having me, Penny!

Natalie Wright Comes Calling

Hi Natalie and thanks for visiting with me @ Penny’s Tales. 

1. Tell us about Natalie Wright

Vital Statistics: My day job is a divorce attorney/mediator. I live in the high desert in Tucson, Arizona. I’ve been married twenty-four years to the same guy and have a 9 year old daughter and a 14 year old dog.

I love big cities (though I’ve never managed to live in one), travel, and great food and wine. But I also love the outdoors, solitude and simple food. My perfect day would include touring big city, people watching, enjoying an elegant dinner, then retiring to a luxury hotel. Or my perfect day may be hiking in the mountains and eating stew on the porch of a cabin in the woods. Either option sounds blissful to me.

2. Tell us about your latest story.

Blurb for Emily’s House:

From Kirkus Reviews: With her two best friends by her side and her mother’s memory in her heart, a teenager undertakes a journey to save the world from an ancient evil.

Emily Adams has always known she’s special. Throughout her whole life she’s had visions of things that haven’t happened yet and she could always read her mother’s mind. At least, she could until her mother died. Emily thinks her abilities are just about gone, but the arrival of a strange creature in her backyard one night proves otherwise. Emily discovers she is the last of the Order of Brighid, an ancient society of women sworn to protect the portal to the Netherworld. Now, with the portal under attack, it’s up to Emily and her two loyal, wisecracking friends to stop a villainous man before his actions destroy the world.

3.  Are all your stories for MG or YA?

All of my stories are YA, though I think adults enjoy them as well. I have an “adult” story floating around in my head so I may attempt to write an adult book in the future. But right now I have two different 3-book series that I’m working on so it will be a while before I can start a wholly new project.

4.  Do you have a special go-to person you send your stories to, just to see what they think?

I did not have anyone special to read early drafts of Emily’s House and relied on paid project editors. Fortunately, I met a couple of writer friend that I can now go to with drafts. They “get” what I do but are not afraid to tell me what’s not working. I also use a paid “alpha reader” service which gives me a very unbiased opinion. This feedback early on is invaluable and can save a lot of wheel spinning. Once I’ve incorporated their suggestions and done what I can with the project, then I send it to a paid project editor.

5.  Can you give us a hint of what your next story is about?

I have two novels that are in draft right now that I’m working on. First is Emily’s Trial, which is the follow up to Emily’s House. In Emily’s Trial, Emily will have her first love (and perhaps a first kiss).  But loyalties and friendships will be tested when Emily once again goes through a portal to another world – this time with her friends. Emily’s Trial should be out late Fall, 2012.

Second, I’m working on the first book of my new science fiction series, H.A.L.F. This is an acronym for Human Alien Life Form and it is about – you guessed it – a human alien hybrid, codename H.A.L.F, who was created by a clandestine arm of our government as a weapon, and his quest for freedom. Three teens, out in the desert for some fun, get caught up in this secret world and their choice to help the hybrid may cost them their lives. I’m having so much fun with this project! I self-published Emily’s House but I’m going to hold off self-publishing H.A.L.F. and with the encouragement of my beta readers, I’ll be shopping for a publishing house for H.A.L.F. – so no publication date yet.

6.  With all the promoting that is just as important as writing the story, do you have a schedule you try to stick with when trying to get a story finished?

That’s a good question. When Emily’s House first came last November, I found myself spending more and more time on social media. The promotion time took over and I was writing less and less. Experienced writers give the advice that what is most important is writing good books. So I took that to heart and have scaled back on social media, choosing instead to spend more time writing. I think having a schedule would be a great strategy, but I’m a free-spirited person who hates schedules! This is an area that is still very much a work-in-progress – finding the balance of promotion vs. writing new material.

7.  Have you ever thought of just hanging it up because of rejections or a too demanding schedule?

Almost every day! My first novel came out last November and honestly, writing was much easier before it released. Staying in touch with people via Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads takes a considerable amount of time. And I have a day job too, so time management – well, sometimes I just want to cry!

But if you are a writer, you need to write. Period. So the lure of the dialogue happening inside my head and the visions of scenes playing out – that gets me back to the page.

8.  What is your favorite thing to do when not writing?

I enjoy traveling. This summer we’re going to the Bahamas, last summer it was the Mexican Riviera, next summer I’m going to France. Travel is adventure and that fuels my inspiration. I also enjoy being outdoors – hiking, taking my dog for a walk, gardening, swimming in the pool, or having a BBQ with friends. Just about anything outdoors I like. And of course, reading.

9.  And, of course, the most important question, where can we find you and your books?

You can “find” me here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/NatalieWright_

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NatalieWright.Author

Blog: http://NatalieWrightsYA.blogspot.com

Website: http://NatalieWright.net

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468945.Natalie_Wright

You can Purchase Emily’s House Here:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/A7jHsG

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/vlrnjp

iBooks: http://bit.ly/u4JCer

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/ttW6dl

 Well, it was fun having you on Penny's Tales, Natalie.  I do have a question.  After reading #8, I was wondering how I can get you to adopt me so I can travel with you during the summers?